A 22-year-old Shawano woman has been ordered to seek a mental evaluation. She had been charged with neglect in relation to the death of her two-month-old son.
Catherine Barker was scheduled to have her preliminary hearing Tuesday. Instead it was postponed so Barker could meet with psychologist and undergo a mental competency exam before the next court date.
Court records say police arrived at a home in Shawano where they found a 2-month-old baby dead in a small bassinet. Barker has not been charged with homicide.
Court records say Barker told investigators that the boy’s blanket must have suffocated him, and she attempted CPR for around a half hour.
District Attorney Gregory Parker says the mental competency will determine is Barker is mentally able to stand trial. NBC26 reached out to the public defender who is representing Barker. He declined to comment at this time.
Barker’s next court day is set for November 12.
